Myers, Ruff speak after debut

John Vogl of the Buffalo News ran a piece in the Sabres Notebook surrounding Tyler Myers' NHL pre-season debut on Saturday. Myers given start against Leafs to satisfy team's curiosity

“It’s a big adjustment to this level,” Myers said. “The pace is a lot faster, the guys are stronger. They’re on you right away when you get the puck, so you have to adjust, and I think I’m doing a pretty good job of that.”

His quick adjustments have given him an extended stay in Buffalo. The Sabres sent the other junior players back to their teams last week, but they decided to keep Myers around a little longer.

“The reason we kept him around is to get some practice,” said Ruff, the Sabres’ coach. “He gets to spend a good period of time going against our NHL players, get the feel of how much stronger he has to get. At the same time, he’s played well through the scrimmage games. His size, his presence and the curiosity to see him in a game is enough of a reason to put him in.”

Myers’ obvious attributes are his size and tremendous skating ability. His height and long reach allow him to get in opponents’ way, and his footwork allows him to fit into the Sabres’ style of mobile defensemen starting plays.